Maharashtra to lease reservoir land for growing livestock fodder in drought areas

The Maharashtra government will lease exposed cultivable land in tanks and reservoirs across 304 drought-declared talukas to help farmers grow short-duration fodder crops. Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod announced the decision following rainfall deficiency during the 2026 kharif season.

Allotment Rules

Official departments will conduct joint surveys to find eligible land, and district committees headed by collectors will approve allotments and select beneficiaries. Farmers can grow crops like maize, sorghum, pearl millet, nutrifeed, berseem and oats, but sugarcane, foodgrains, fruit and cash crops are banned. Cultivation must rely mostly on soil moisture, and protective irrigation needs written permission. Beneficiaries must harvest and return the land before May 31, 2027.

Strict Safeguards

Drinking water needs take strict priority, and reservoirs supplying drinking water or tankers are excluded. Chemical fertilisers and pesticides are banned within 200 metres of drinking water wells. Deep ploughing, digging, construction, tree planting, and heavy vehicle movement near dams are strictly prohibited to protect water infrastructure.

Context

Low rainfall during key agricultural seasons often creates severe fodder shortages for livestock in rural parts of the state. Leasing dry reservoir beds provides a practical way to use otherwise idle land for essential feed production while protecting water safety.